Reigning champions Vipers SC open the 2026/27 StarTimes Uganda Premier League on Friday evening with a home fixture against Entebbe UPPC at St Mary's Stadium, Kitende.
The Venoms arrive at the curtain-raiser on the back of a confident week, having lifted the Super Cup after a dominant 3-1 win over Kitara.
New Vipers head coach Denis Lavagne says seven weeks of pre-season have put the eight-time champions in good shape for the new campaign.
"I think the time is now right to start the league after seven good weeks of preparations," Lavagne said.
"We have had a good week after winning the Super Cup and we want to build on that, start with a win as we aim to defend the title," he added.
Entebbe UPPC, coached by Abdallah Mubiru, finished fifth on their return to the top flight last season and start the new term without six key men.
Isa Bugembe and Ambrose Kigozi carry fitness worries, while Anwar Ntege, Grant Matsiko, Ahmed Amayo and Julius Poloto are all injured.
New signings Ibrahim Mugulusi, Kokolo and Sharif Ssengendo are expected to carry the fight for the Printers at Kitende.
Vipers will look to Farouk Miya, Gusto Mulongo and Karim Watambala to deliver the three points in front of the faithful.
The league meeting doubles as a useful tune-up for Vipers' Caf Champions League preliminary round tie against Mauritania's Nouadhibou next week.
How did the head-to-head look last season?
Vipers won both league meetings between the two sides in 2025/26, a 1-0 win at Bugonga and a 2-0 victory at Kitende.
Across all meetings, the Venoms lead the Printers, with Entebbe UPPC managing just a single win and one draw in the fixture history.
The argument doing the rounds in Kampala is whether Vipers' new-look technical bench can absorb the loss of pre-season preparation time for their rivals and still produce a sharp opening performance, or whether the Printers' underdog energy makes this a banana skin in the rain at Kitende.
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Source: Kawowo Sports
